Friday, 18 April 2014

My Spring Beauty Picks

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Try and ignore the fact that my photography skills are rather shoddy (well lack of skills!) But this is my first proper post and I promise they will improve.

As the sun is starting to shine, I thought although it's meant to have been spring for a while now, it
was time to share some of my go to products for this season. Personally, spring is probably my favourite season not only is it when my birthday falls but it's just a lovely time of the year, when all the pastel colours (mint green!) are in fashion and lots of beautiful flowers are beginning to grow outside.

For me spring is all about a light and dewy complexion, bright but natural eyes and a pop of colour. So that will show throughout this post.

First up are two of my new favourite skincare products. When it comes to my skin, I hate having to
fuss around with a whole load of different products. Instead, I love using really simple and easy to use but effective ones. So recently I spotted these moisturisers in Superdrug, I'd heard a lot about their 'Vitamin E' range so I was really eager to try these. As I have combination skin it's usually pretty hard to get simple and affordable moisturisers that don't make my skin too oily but add just the right amount of moisture. However these work, really well!

Next up is a nail varnish, not just any nail varnish but a pastel coloured one! When Barry M came out with their 'Gelly Hi-Shine' nail paints, I was really excited to try them and I'm glad I did. It's such an easy to apply nail colour and the colour is really pretty. I love how it looks on the nails as it's got a gel finish which looks really glossy and is perfect for spring.

I don't really wear lipstick that often. I know, call me crazy! When I do I prefer light and fresh pink shades that just add a slight sheen of colour on the lips. That's why I love this one, it's definitely a buildable lipstick but it looks lovely whether it's just a sheer coat or it's built up. When swatched it does look fairly pink and rather like a 'Barbie' pink but when I wear it by just applying a light amount it creates such a lovely 'my lips but better' shade.

Natural Collection Lipstick in Sweet Pea (I don't think they sell these anymore, well at least not online anyway)

When it comes to my lashes, I love them long! Unfortunately I'm not blessed with lovely, long lashes so instead I have to fake them. So finding a mascara that lengthens them really well without clumping and too much volume is a must for me. For spring I don't like to wear too much eye makeup so a light formula is also a must. The 'Masterpiece' mascara is my favourite mascara by far for this time of the year.

As I said a pop of colour is what spring is about. I love adding that colour by using a blush, when I use blush in the spring I love using the pale pinks and peaches. I use the smallest amount of blush with a buffing or blush brush to create a flush of colour on the cheeks. This blush from MUA features several different shades of light corally pinks which look lovely when used individually or all swirled together.

I don't tend to wear eyeshadow but when I do I always gravitate towards the neutral colours. I find that they create such a natural and classic look. As I long for just one of the 'NAKED' palettes, I have to settle for something a little more affordable. And MUA do that perfectly! The 'Undress Me Too' palette includes 12 shades for any look. I think this is perfect for spring, as it looks pretty on the eyes but it doesn't distract away from any colour elsewhere.

I love lighter coverage foundations all year round but especially as it starts to get warmer. I first discovered the 'Wake Me Up' foundation a few summers ago and I just couldn't put it down. I wore it pretty much everyday because it gave me such a lovely glow and also just the right amount of coverage. Some people have said that the tiny specks of glitter in it really show up and can look a bit disco ball-ish but I don't personally see that when I use this foundation. This foundation is one that I like to reach for on those days when perhaps my skin is having a good day and I don't have many angry blemishes. It is such a smooth foundation that is also really hydrating and brightening. The perfect base for spring.

Finally, my last pick for the spring is a concealer. Not just any concealer but a CC eye cream/concealer, I love this stuff it is such a lovely light consistency, it corrects colour so well and it also brightens those pesky under eye circles! I found that not only did it do wonders for the under eye area but it also corrected redness and discolouration around my blemishes when it was applied lightly. The only thing I would say about this is it runs out super quick and the packaging isn't the most practical. ﻿﻿﻿﻿

Hopefully this post has been helpful and interesting as I gave you an insight into my spring make up bag. If you have any questions about any of the products feel free to leave them down below, also if you've tried any of the products mentioned let me know your opinions, I'd love to hear from you.